Reborn as a Useless Noble with my SSS-Class Innate Talent

Kyle strode across the soft grass, his steps quiet but heavy with purpose.

The unconscious saintess hung limply over his shoulder, her divine mana still flickering faintly like a dying ember refusing to be extinguished.

The resting station was just ahead—a shaded area near the training grounds where the Grand Duchess, Bruce, and Melissa had gathered.

As Kyle drew closer, an uneasy feeling coiled in his chest. It wasn't fear—he didn't fear much—but instinct. Something was off.

Still, he didn't slow down.

Bruce was the first to notice him. The young man straightened, eyes widening before he rushed forward with a grin.

"Young Master! You're back."

Melissa stood next, face brightening with relief and something deeper.

"Master Kyle,"

She greeted with a mix of admiration and concern.

The Grand Duchess rose last, her eyes narrowing sharply at the figure draped over Kyle's shoulder.

"What are you carrying?"

She asked, voice cool but curious.

Kyle lowered the saintess to the ground gently, her white hair splayed like a halo across the grass.

"The saintess. She's still alive, but barely. I need to monitor her divine mana—it's unstable and dangerous. I couldn't just leave her out there to rot and risk another surge."

He answered simply.

The Grand Duchess's composure faltered.

"You defeated the saintess?"

She repeated, as if she couldn't quite believe it.

Kyle nodded once.

"Yes."

Even Amanda couldn't hide her surprise, but Kyle turned away from her quickly.

"Before anything else, "I need to check all of you. The transformation you underwent… there may still be lingering side effects."

He said, looking between the three of them.

He reached out and took Melissa's wrist first.

The touch was firm, clinical—Kyle's mana brushing lightly against her own to feel its flow. But to Melissa, it was something else entirely.

Her heart leapt in her chest, cheeks flushing crimson at the contact. She couldn't meet his eyes and cursed herself for reacting like some silly child.

Kyle let go after a few moments.

"You're stable. No lingering interference."

He moved to Bruce and then to Amanda, quickly performing similar checks.

Neither of them showed any strange reactions. Satisfied, Kyle nodded to himself.

Meanwhile, Melissa—still dazed—sat beside the unconscious saintess, cheeks pink and heart racing. She rested her hands on her knees, willing herself to calm down.

'He's too much sometimes… He just grabs my hand like it's nothing… and acts like it's normal…'

She thought, trying not to look in his direction.

Her gaze drifted down to the saintess's still form.

And froze.

The saintess's eyes were open.

White pupils locked onto her like a predator's stare, and before Melissa could react, the saintess's hand shot up and grabbed her wrist with cold, unnatural strength.

"Wha—!?"

Melissa gasped.

The saintess smiled, but her expression was wrong—far too calm for someone so recently unconscious.

Her lips curled in a slow, sick grin, and when she spoke, her voice was not entirely her own. It echoed, distorted, as if another being spoke through her mouth.

"…Ah. You're a pretty little one. Are you one of his precious things?"

The saintess purred.

Melissa tried to pull her hand back, but the saintess's grip tightened like a vice.

"You're trembling. Good. Be afraid."

The saintess said, amused.

______

Kyle realized something was wrong a heartbeat too late.

The moment Melissa stumbled back with a gasp, clutching her wrist in pain, the unnatural pulse of divine mana hit him like a wave.

He spun on instinct, his sword already in motion.

The saintess, still wearing that twisted, delighted smile, opened her mouth to gloat—but Kyle's blade flashed in a blinding arc and cleaved clean through her chest.

She didn't bleed. She didn't even cry out in pain.

Instead, her body shimmered into golden-white sparks that drifted upward like dust caught in the sunlight.

And even as she disappeared, her voice remained, lingering like a curse in the air.

"A shame. But at least I got the last laugh. This is your fate, Kyle Armstrong… for defying the heavens. If you continue down this path, you'll lose even more. One by one, they will fall."

She said, her tone exultant.

Her laughter echoed as the last of her form vanished into the wind, leaving nothing but silence in her wake.

Kyle's eyes darkened.

Melissa winced and clutched her wrist tighter.

"I'm fine. It's just… hot. It hurts a little, but I'm okay."

She said quickly, though the tremor in her voice betrayed her.

Kyle was already beside her, kneeling and pulling her hand away from the mark.

A twisted rune—deep crimson, glowing faintly with divine energy—had burned itself into her skin. The shape was warped, unstable, and sinister. Kyle's jaw clenched as he studied it.

"You're not fine. This isn't some wound you can shrug off, Melissa. This is divine malice—pure, festering hatred wrapped into a curse."

He said flatly.

She tried to sit straighter, composing herself even as sweat glistened on her brow.

"It doesn't hurt that much. Really. I can keep fighting."

Kyle's expression didn't soften.

"That's the problem. You can't feel the pain because your mana has grown stronger. The curse is being masked by your own growth. But once that rush fades, the symptoms will start. And they'll be worse."

He muttered.

He gently lifted her wrist and turned it to better examine the mark. The cursed symbol pulsed faintly, reacting to Kyle's touch. His eyes narrowed as he channeled a fine thread of his mana into her.

The mark hissed and recoiled.

Melissa flinched.

Kyle drew back.

"I'll seal it. Temporarily. That will hold it for a while, but once the seal breaks, I need you to tell me immediately. Do you understand?"

She nodded, her expression more serious now.

"Yes, Master Kyle."

He placed his hand over her wrist again, this time letting a more focused stream of mana pour into the mark.

A thin band of silver-blue light formed around it, encasing the symbol and locking it down. The throbbing heat dulled slightly, and Melissa let out a soft breath.

"You didn't have to…"

She started.

Kyle shook his head.

"You're my responsibility. I brought that monster here. I let my guard down."

"You saved me. She would've cursed anyone if she had the chance. I was just nearby. I'm not afraid."

She said quickly, fiercely.

"You should be. This isn't just about you. That thing—it—the Queen… it's watching again. This wasn't just an act of spite. It was a message."

Kyle replied, his voice low.

Behind them, Bruce and Amanda stood silently. Neither interrupted. Amanda's eyes were narrowed in thought, her aura sharp and cold. Bruce looked shaken but calm.

Finally, Amanda spoke.

"What now?"

Kyle stood, his gaze still on the sealed mark.

"Now we prepare. This won't be the last time. If the Queen is getting serious again… then so must we."

Melissa lowered her gaze, her fingers brushing the seal.

"Even if I'm cursed… I'll keep following you, Master. You're not getting rid of me."

Kyle looked at her then, eyes softening for just a moment.

"I'd never try."

But in the depths of his heart, he could feel the storm brewing.

The Queen had made a move.

And he knew it was only the beginning.